After how many kilometers does a sedan become scrapped?
3 Answers
For household 5-seat sedans and 7-seat SUVs, non-commercial small and mini vehicles have no usage lifespan limit. When the normal mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide them to be scrapped. In addition to the above vehicles, small and mini non-commercial passenger vehicles, large non-commercial sedans, and wheeled special machinery vehicles also have no usage lifespan limit. Commercial vehicles have scrapping age limits as follows: Small and mini taxi passenger vehicles have a scrapping age limit of 8 years, medium taxi passenger vehicles 10 years, and large taxi passenger vehicles 12 years. Bus passenger vehicles have a scrapping age limit of 13 years, other small and mini commercial passenger vehicles 10 years, and large and medium commercial passenger vehicles 15 years. Mini commercial trucks have a scrapping age limit of 8 years, light and large commercial trucks 10 years. The vehicle scrapping process is as follows: The car owner applying for scrapping and renewal should fill out one copy of the "Motor Vehicle Change, Transfer, Modification, Suspension, and Scrapping Approval Application Form" and stamp the owner's seal. The registration office accepts the application and issues a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" for vehicles that have reached the scrapping age. For vehicles that have not reached the scrapping age, after being verified by the motor vehicle inspection office and meeting the scrapping standards, a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" will be issued. The owner can choose a qualified recycling company to send the vehicle for dismantling with the "Notice". After verifying the "Notice", the recycling company dismantles the vehicle and takes photos. The engine must be separated from the vehicle, the engine block must be broken, and the frame (chassis) must be cut. The owner should submit the "Change Form", "XX Province Vehicle Renewal Technical Appraisal Form", "Scrapped Vehicle Recycling Certificate", and vehicle dismantling photos to the motor vehicle inspection office for verification and signature. The license plates and certificates will be reclaimed, and the scrapping registration will be processed after approval according to regulations. Special Notes: According to Article 30 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", if the vehicle cannot be driven back to the registration location due to damage, the owner can sell the scrapped vehicle to a local motor vehicle recycling company. If a commercial vehicle is converted to a non-commercial vehicle, it must be scrapped according to the original commercial vehicle's scrapping time. According to Article 43 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", after completing the motor vehicle transfer registration or cancellation registration, the original owner can apply to the vehicle management office to use the original license plate number when registering a newly purchased motor vehicle. The application to use the original license plate number must meet the following conditions: (1) The application must be submitted within six months after completing the transfer or cancellation registration; (2) The owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years.
I've driven for many years and believe that scrapping a sedan isn't about mileage but mainly depends on its condition. Once engine aging and frequent transmission issues arise, repair costs skyrocket. It's common to hear cars being scrapped at 200,000 to 300,000 kilometers. However, well-maintained vehicles can last 500,000 or even 1 million kilometers. When key components like pistons and bearings wear out, fuel consumption surges and power drops, making driving exhausting for owners. Slow brake response or suspension wobbles at high speeds pose significant safety risks. Economically, the cost of a few repairs could buy a new car, leading many owners to send their vehicles straight to recycling. Regular checks of fluids and filters are recommended to extend lifespan.
I have an old friend whose car has clocked over 400,000 kilometers without being scrapped, but he's constantly repairing it—spark plugs and steering system issues keep popping up. From my personal experience, at 250,000 km, the fuel consumption was high, and the noise was unbearable, so I replaced it. High mileage doesn't necessarily mean it has to be scrapped, but common pitfalls include engine overheating with smoke or a rusted-out exhaust pipe. Many people scrap their cars around 300,000 km because the driving experience becomes miserable. If the car is relatively newer and well-maintained, long-distance driving might still be feasible. It's advisable to check the manufacturer's data, but in reality, mileage isn't the sole criterion.